Group Descriptions:
Salmon Group: The Salmon Group is a beginner-level swim group aimed at learning the basics of each stroke and creating a solid foundation for future swimming success. Designed for swimmers ages 5-8, this group meets twice a week for 30-minute practices. Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle and show enthusiasm and readiness to learn to join.
Requirements: 25 freestyle, willingness to learn
Red Group: Red Group is for swimmers to be introduced to competitive swimming. This group will emphasize technique for the four strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. Swimmers will learn streamlining, dives, and turns. Endurance training is not stressed. Physically, our swimmers will learn to be aware of their body and posture in the water. Mentally, each swimmer will develop a curiosity of the sport, listening skills, and learn what it means to be a teammate. Swimmers are required to swim in Chinook-hosted meets and they are monitored for advancement to our next level.
Age Range: 12 & Under
Entry Level requirements: 50 legal free, 25 legal backstroke, (some knowledge of Fly/Breast)
Graduation Requirements: 100 legal free (w/flipturns) & 100 legal IM, legal 50 of breast & fly
Expectations: Red Group swimmers should aim to attend 60-70% of all practice sessions offered and plan to attend Chinook hosted meets throughout the season.
Competitive Goals: Red Group swimmers should achieve times in all four competitive stroke disciplines at the 25Y, 50Y, and 100 IM distances as age appropriate at observed competitions.
Equipment Requirement: Fins, Paddles, Pull Buoy, Kickboard, Mesh Bag
White Group: White group is our next step to becoming a competitive swimmer. Athletes will continue to refine technique and continue to explore concepts such as body awareness and posture. Swimmers will begin to swim extended training sets in order to develop their aerobic capacity. Skills such as reading a clock and completing more complicated sets will also be a focus of this group. Consistent practice/meet participation is required at this level.
Age Range: Ages 12 & Under
Entry Level Requirements: Red group requirements + legal in all strokes
Graduation Requirements: Achieve times in all 100y 4 stroke disciplines, 200 free and 200IM, demonstrate a willingness to learn alongside peers, one ten and under gold time
Expectations: Swimmers will attend 60%-70% of all practice sessions offered and plan to attend at least two non-championship meets each season cycle ((September – December, January – March, April – July).
Competitive Goals: Achieving PNS silver time standards in at least two stroke disciplines
Equipment Requirement: Fins, Paddles, Pull Buoy, Kickboard, Mesh Bag
Blue Group: Blue Group consists of primarily elementary school/early middle school pursuing silver/gold time standards and above.
Swimmers will develop a championship mindset and continue to explore the physical/mental aspect of the sport. Swimmers will learn to set process oriented goals in order to help them achieve their desired outcome.
Age Range: 10-13
Entry Level Requirements: Achieve times in all 100y 4 stroke disciplines, 200 free and 200IM, demonstrate a willingness to learn alongside peers
Graduation Requirements: PNS Silver times in all 4 strokes, PNS Gold Times in all 4 Disciplines, Multiple PNS Champs times
Expectations: Swimmers should attend 80% of practices, and plan to attend at least two non-championship meets each season cycle ((September – December, January – March, April – July).
Competitive Goals: Gold standards in 200IM and 400/500 free, champs cut in primary event
Equipment Requirement: Fins, Snorkels, Paddles, Pull Buoy, Kickboard, Mesh Bag
Junior Group: Junior Group is our non-championship centered middle school group. Swimmers will learn to be a champion of their process and be molded into different pathways of success.
Ages Range: 12-14
Junior Performance: Junior Performance is composed of our highest performing age group swimmers who have achieved Multiple PNS Champs times, NWAG Regional Times, and Age Group Zones times. Swimmers aim to master their body awareness/posture in the water and will look to maximize efficiency in their movements. Swimmers will continue to develop a championship mindset and explore the physical/mental aspect of the sport. Swimmers will be pushed to take ownership in their process and will learn how to be accountable in their training. Athletes will continue to set process oriented goals in order to help them achieve their desired outcome.
Age Range: 12 & Older
Entry Level Requirements: Gold Times in all 4 stroke disciplines,PNS Champs times
Competitive Goals: PNS Champs times, NWAG Regional Times, and Age Group Zones times NWAG Regional Times, and Age Group Zones times
Graduation Requirements: 8th grade or older
Senior Group: The senior group is designed for our highest performing, and high school aged swimmers. This group includes a wide range of commited swimmers, including those that achieve NWAG Regional Times and Senior Zones times. Training is focused on refining technique, building endurance, and refining race stragities. Swimmers in this group are expected to demonstrate a strong work ethic, consistency in attendance, and a high level of commitment. Swimmers also have the opportunity to learn about and work towards college swimming.
Age Range: 13-18
Entry Level Requirements: In high school
Competitive Goals: PNS Champs times, NWAG Regional Times and Senior Zones times
*All group placements are at coaches discretion
